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(? or ?; 277), n.[F. mtal, L. metallum metal, mine, Gr. mine; cf. Gr. to search after. Cf. Mettle, Medal.] 1. (Chem.) An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc. Popularly, the name is applied to certain hard, fusible metals, as gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, lead, zinc, nickel, etc., and also to the mixed metals, or metallic alloys, as brass, bronze, steel, bell metal, etc. 2. Ore from which a metal is derived; -- so called by miners. Raymond. 3. A mine from which ores are taken. [Obs.] Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals. Jer. Taylor. 4. The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper. Not till God make men of some other me Met"al v. t.[imp. & p. p.Metaled (? or ?) or Metalled; p. pr. & vb. n.Metaling or Metalling.] To cover with metal; as, to metal a ship's bottom; to metal a road. スポンサード リンク
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